PROTESTS BREAK OUT OVER YOUTH SLAYINGS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 000939

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2021
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ELAB KDEM SCUL VE
SUBJECT: PROTESTS BREAK OUT OVER YOUTH SLAYINGS

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Classified By: Robert Downes, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(b).

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Summary
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1. (U) Venezuelans were shocked by the April 4 discovery of
the slain bodies of three young brothers and their driver who
had been kidnapped in Caracas 41 days before. The
kidnappers, alleged publicly to be Caracas Metropolitan
Police officers, demanded a US$4.5 million ransom from the
children's father, a Canadian businessman living in
Venezuela, which he was unable to pay. Multiple protests
against the government broke out on April 5, and one
cameraman was shot and killed in Caracas while covering a
demonstration. Government spokespersons vowed to solve the
murders, but also took advantage of the crime to call for new
legislation creating a national police force under authority
of the national government. The head of the Metropolitan
Police was replaced late on April 5. Coming on the heels of
another high-profile kidnapping/murder case of an
Italian-Venezuelan businessman, this crime strikes a chord
with the public because of the execution-style killings of
the young victims. End summary.

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Bodies of Three Youths, Driver, Discovered
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2. (U) The bodies of John Faddoul, 17; Kevin Faddoul, 13; and
Jason Faddoul, 12, were found in San Francisco de Yare, 18
miles south of Caracas, on April 4. The body of 30-year-old
Miguel Rivas, the children's driver, was also discovered.
The four were reportedly kidnapped while on the way to the
Catholic school in Caracas on February 23. Press reports
said the kidnappers wore uniforms of the Caracas Metropolitan
Police, and the government later admitted that police
officials were under investigation. The bodies were
reportedly found with gunshot wounds to the heads that had
been inflicted three days prior to the discovery. The lawyer
for the Faddoul family said that the father, John Faddoul,
who is a Canadian businessman living for many years in
Venezuela, was unable to pay the US$4.5 million ransom
demanded by the kidnappers. Press reports indicated that the
three slain youths also held Canadian citizenship. Public
vigils for the youths' return had been held since February
23, including a special mass conducted by newly-installed
Cardinal Jorge Urosa. Urosa issued a televised message to
Venezuelans urging peace and support for authorities
investigating the murders.

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BRV Reaction: Police Reform, Immediate and Future
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3. (U) Minister of Interior Jesse Chacon announced the
discovery late on April 4, adding that he called Mr. Faddoul
personally to inform him of his children's fate. Chacon and
other Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) officials vowed
to solve the murders. Chacon, however, called for immediate
passage of the National Police Law pending before the
National Assembly that would give the national government
effective control over all state and municipal police forces.
National Assembly President Nicolas Maduro announced that he
had ordered the relevant committee to report out the bill by
April 17, after Holy Week, for consideration by the full
Assembly. Late on April 5, Caracas Metropolitan Mayor Juan
Barreto announced he had named National Guard Brigadier
General Juan Romero Figueredo as the new director of the
Caracas Metropolitan Police. In addition, he announced a new
command staff ("estado mayor") comprised of 11 military
officers, 6 from the reserve corps (directly controlled by
Chavez) and 5 from active duty. Joining the command staff
will be three members of the Caracas District Council, the
head of the fire department, and the director of public

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safety.

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Protests Flare Up, One Reporter Killed
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4. (U) Small groups of demonstrators began blocking streets
in Caracas and elsewhere in the country on April 5,
expressing outrage at the inability of the BRV to prevent the
crime and at the alleged police complicity. Students at the
Andres Bello Catholic University (UCAB) blocked a key highway
throughout most of the day in protest. Meanwhile, Baruta
Mayor Henrique Capriles and Primero Justicia leader Gerardo
Blyde led a protest in front of the Ministry of Interior.
The National Resistance Command, an opposition group, called
for nationwide demonstrations, though it was not clear
whether the regional demonstrations were of significant size.
Jorge Aguirre, a photographer for Caracas daily El Mundo
died after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest while
covering a demonstration at Plaza Venezuela held by students
of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV). By the
afternoon, National Guard troops were present in several
parts of eastern Caracas but did not try to break up the
protests.

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A Week of Violent Crime
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5. (U) The horrendous murders come just a week after the
March 29 kidnapping and murder of Filippo Sindoni, an
Italian-born businessman from Aragua State. BRV officials
denied reports that Aragua State Police were involved in the
killing. Also, on March 29, the bodyguard for Chacao Mayor
Leopoldo Lopez was murdered in an apparent car-jacking
attempt. There were also unconfirmed reports of
assassination attempts of one Supreme Court magistrate and of
the Governor of Monogas.

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Comment
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6. (C) The case is striking because of the brutal manner in
which the youths were murdered. Crime has been a growing
problem in Venezuela, but this series of crimes has ratcheted
up general public discontent, principally among Caracas'
middle and upper class. The demonstrations are notable
because they appear largely dominated by students -- an
unusual departure from past opposition protests. Both sides
will spin the crime to their advantage: the Chavistas in
their call for a new (Chavez-controlled) police force and the
opposition in its claims that Venezuela is spiraling down
into chaos. While we do not see this evolving into a
full-blown social crisis at this point, it does demonstrate
continued strong tensions within Venezuela. It will create
yet another vulnerability for Chavez as Venezuela's basic
public services continue to deteriorate. The BRV will need
to act quickly to show it is trying to address the crime
problem.

BROWNFIELD